Page 4: of Maritime Reporter Magazine (January 1992)

MACOR-Equipped RO/ROs Play

Key Role In Cargo Delivery

During Operation Desert Storm

Roll-on/Roll-Off vessels played a key role in the delivery of equip- ment and supplies during Opera- tion Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

Inherent in the design of these type vessels are specially developed bow and stern ramps. One of the leading designers and developers of systems of this type is MACOR Marine Sys- tems International GmbH, an inde- pendent manufacturer headquar- tered in Bremen, Germany.

The company was formerly called

Deutsche MacGregor GmbH and was part of the International

MacGregor Organization. After the

International MacGregor Organiza- tion was acquired by Navire Oy in 1983, Deutsche MacGregor GmbH became independent and was re- named MACOR Marine Systems In- ternational GmbH in 1986.

The company's product range in- cludes all types of hatch covers and cargo access equipment for Roll-On/

Roll-Off (RO/RO) vessels, ferries, containerships, cruise vessels and other special-purpose ships. In all, more than 4,000 ships have already been equipped with advanced

MACOR equipment.

Besides MACOR Marine Systems

International GmbH in Bremen, the

International MACOR Group in- cludes: MACOR Marine Systems

International, Inc., in the U.S.;

MACOR Marine Systems Interna- tional A/S in Denmark; MACOR

Marine Systems International BV in the Netherlands; and MACOR

Marine Systems International

SARL in France. Representatives and agents are also located in Eu- rope and Asia.

Several of the RO/ROs used dur- ing Desert Shield/Desert Storm— the Canadian Forest, Pfc. William

B. Baugh, Pvt. Harry Fischer, Cpl.

Louis J. Hauge Jr., First Lt. Alex

Bonnyman Jr., and the Pfc. James

Anderson—were fitted with

Deutsche MacGregor-designed equipment. "They (RO/ROs) are extremely useful in these type military opera- tions," said Arij de Ligt, president of MACOR Marine Systems Inter- national Inc., Greensboro, N.C. "The stern ramps have the capability to launch amphibious vehicles right into the water. In addition, the ships can use their own deck cranes and stern ramp causeways to un- load."

Mr. de Ligt, who, prior to his present position, worked for Navire

Cargo Gear for over 15 years, said

MACOR is developing a number of special Sealift product designs.

These designs include: a slewing stern ramp, stern door, removable deck, watertight bulkhead door, side port door, side port ramp, and hatch covers.

Furthermore, the company, which was formed in July 1991, is setting up a number of service centers near major U.S. ports to repair MACOR and MacGregor-equipped vessels.

Bow and stern ramps are among the facilities which permit the cargo to be loaded/unloaded horizontally from the pier to the ship. The ramps also double as watertight doors for the entry ports when the vessel is at sea.

The bow and stern ramps are raised and lowered by direct-action hydraulic cylinders or by hydrauli- cally operated block and pulley sys- tems.

In most cases, a bulkhead door is installed at the bow or hinged door is added at the stern to ensure the watertight properties of the ship's hull.

Additionally, MACOR has devel- oped suspended extra car decks which provide additional storage space for cars above the main car deck. When not is use, these decks are simply raised to a position di- rectly underneath the deck above by hydraulic rope drive systems.

Rolling cargo can be transferred to the upper and lower decks via built-in internal hinged ramps.

These ramps also often serve to seal off openings in the deck during the voyage.

Cargo is often also moved verti- cally by cargo lifts connecting two or more decks. These are usually raised and lowered by vertical hydraulic rams.

Hydraulically operated bulkhead doors, side doors and side ramps round off the program. In addition,

MACOR also designs complete hy- draulic drive systems for bow visors and bow doors.

For free color brochures detailing the full line of MACOR products and services,

Circle 75 on Reader Service Card

The MACOR-designed stern ramp of the 14,874- dwt RO/RO Richenfels (now the Lyra, owned by

Lykes Bros. Steamship Co.). The Lyra served the

Military Sealift Command during the Persian Gulf conflict. 100' Aluminum Dinner Boat 160' Aluminum Crew Boat 110' Aluminum Dinner Boat 90' Whale Watch Boat or xceiience

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Circle 248 on Reader Service Card 6 Maritime Reporter/Engineering News